The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Anambra State has expressed dissatisfaction over what it described as the exclusion of the party and its women’s leadership from arrangements for the visit of First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, to the state on Thursday.
While welcoming and congratulating the First Lady ahead of the visit, the APC accused the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) of creating the impression that it is working closely with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, while allegedly sidelining the APC structure in Anambra from national activities.
The party made its position known in a statement issued on Monday in Awka and signed by its state secretary, Sir Obi Okpala.
According to the APC, the party only became aware of the arrangements for the First Lady’s visit through an announcement from the Office of the First Lady of Anambra State, Dr Nonye Soludo.
The party said it welcomed Senator Tinubu’s efforts to empower women and improve their welfare, particularly her initiative aimed at supporting thousands of women across the Southeast.
However, it expressed disappointment that the state APC leadership, including its women’s leadership and recognised party structures, had allegedly not been formally invited or adequately involved in the preparations for the visit.
The statement said the visit, being an official engagement by the First Lady of Nigeria focused on women’s empowerment, should go beyond partisan interests and allow for wider participation and consultation among relevant stakeholders.
The APC questioned the alleged exclusion of its structures despite what it described as repeated public claims that “Progressives Are Working Together.”
The party accused APGA of using the narrative to create a misleading impression of cooperation with the Tinubu administration, alleging that the party was not adequately promoting the President’s achievements in Anambra State.
The APC further alleged that the narrative was being used to influence voters ahead of the 2027 National and State Assembly elections.
The party, however, stressed that its concerns should not be viewed as an attempt to politicise the First Lady’s humanitarian and empowerment programmes.
Rather, it called for greater inclusion and recognition of all relevant stakeholders in the interest of national unity and cooperation.
The Anambra APC also reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening its structures in the state and supporting President Tinubu’s political agenda.
The party rejected what it called the “Progressives Are Working Together” narrative, alleging that APGA’s public communications were not sufficiently supportive of the President and the APC.
It maintained that the APC remained focused on building a stronger political structure capable of delivering the President in Anambra State.
